Support for cameras



C. E. KELSEY.

SUPPORT FOR CAMERAS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.20.1919.

1 ,3 1 9 ,3 97 Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

F1E I.u NILE-- 26 I /J' Q //5 26 I UNITED stra rns t er-stir orrron.

CHARLES Kansas, or ALBUQUERQUE, nnwivinxico.

surronr non CAMERAS.

Specification of Letters liatent.

PatelitedOct. 21, 19:19.

Application filed March 20, 1919. Serial No. 283,793;

similar articles, which form a tripod when opened and which form a walking-stick or cane when folded; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and c.lai1ned. 3

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side'yiew of the support when folded. Fig. 2 is a side view-of the support when opened. Fig. 3 is a detail side view of the pivot joint of one ofthelegs. Fig. 4 is a front View, and Fig. 5 is a plan View, of the same. Fig. 6 is a side View of the spring catch for securing the handle to the head plate. Fig. 7

is a plan View of the same. Fig. 8 is a side view of the catch for connecting the slidable stem to the head plate; and Fig. 9 is a plan view of the same.

The support is provided with a circular head plate 2, which has three forked sockets 3 secured to its underside and arranged radially of it. Three legs 4 are provided, and are so shaped that when closed together, as shown in Fig. 1, they form a tapering walking-stick or cane. Blocks 5 are secured between a pair of thinplates 6, and are arranged at the tops of the legs. The

plates 6 of each block are secured by rivets in longitudinal slots in the upper end portion of one of the legs, and the block 5 is pivoted in one of the sockets 3 by a pin 9.

When the legs are spread apart, as shown in Fig. 2, they form a tripod. The bottom ends. of the legs are preferably provided with spikes 10, and a removable cap 12 of any'approved construction is slipped over the spikes and the lower end portions of the legs.

This cap is held in place by any suitable fastening catch or means, and a ring 14 is slid over the cane to prevent the middle parts of the legs fromspreading apart.

A central guide tube 15 is secured to the head plate, and projects downwardly between the legs. A central stem 16 is slidable vertically in the guide tube, and is also KnLsnY,

revoluble in it. This stem'has a collar 17 and a screwthreaded pro ection 18 at its upper end, for engaging with the camera or other article to be supported, but any other approved means may be used for attaching the article to the upper end of the stem*16. The stem 16 has a longitudinal recess 19 in one sidc,-and 20 is a spring catch secured at one end to the stern b rivets 21 i and-arranged in the said recess. The catch 20 has an inclined side portion which engages with the central guide tube 15, so that the catch is pressed inwardly and slides through the guide tube when the stem is raised. The catch springs outwardly after passing through the guide tube and its shoulder engages with the head "plate 2, so that the stem held inits raised position until the catchis pressed in by hand.

The bottom end of the stem 16 is provided with a screwthreaded projection 2-11, and 25 a thumb-nut which is screwed on the said projection. When. the stem is raised, as shown in Fig. 8, the nut is screwed against the lower end of the guide tube, so that the shoulder of the catch 20 is moved downwardly and pressed tightly against the head plate. The stem is thereby locked tightly in the guide tube, and is prevented from revolving after the camera has been adjusted.

A handle 26'is provided, and is of any suitable or ornamental shape. A cylindrical socket is secured to the handle, and is slidable over the head plate and the upper end portions of the legs, when the legs are folded together. A spring catch 28 is secured 011 the outside of the socket 27 by a plate 29 and suitable screws or rivets 30, and the upper end portion of this spring catch projects through a longitudinal slot 31 in the side of the socket and is provided with a laterally projecting detent 32 near its upper end. This detent engages automatically with the head plate when the handle is connected to the cane, as shown in Fig. 1. In order to release the detent a curved lever 34: is pivoted by a pin 35 to a ring 36 which is secured inside the handle. One end 37 of this lever projects laterally through a hole in the handle and forms a push button, and its other end bears against the upper end portion of the spring catch above its detent.

The screw 18 for holding the camera slips inside the ring 36 when the place, and the ring protects the screw handle is in threads from injury. The legs are suitably grooved on the inside of their upper end portions so that they may fit around the guide tube and slidable stem when folded together. The socket 27 has a slot 38 at its bottom edge which engages with a pin 39 on one leg, so

as to prevent the handle from revolving said slots and projecting upwardly therefrom, blocks secured between the projecting portions of the said plates, pins pivoting the said plates and blocks in the said sockets,

and means for supporting an article, above the said head plate.

2. In a support, a head plate, folda-ble legs pivotally connected with the said head plate, a guide tube projecting downwardly from the head plate, a stem normally slidable and revoluble in the guide tube, a spring catch copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Washington, D. 0.

secured to the stem and provided with a shoulder which bears on the upper side of the head plate when the stem is raised, and

. a thumb-nut screwed on the lower end portion' of the stem and adapted to bear against the lower end of the guide tube and clamp the shoulder of the spring catch against the head plate.-

3. In a support, a head plate provided with sockets, 'foldable legs pivotally con: nected with the said head plate and sockets, a handle provided with-a cylindrical socket which is slidable over the head plate and the upperend portions of the legs, said socket having a longitudinal slot, a spring catch having its lower end portion secured. to the outside of the socket and projecting through the said slot and provided with a detent for engaging with the head plate, and a curvedlever pivoted to, the handle with its upper end projecting therefrom and forming a push-button and with its other end bearing against the upper end portion of th spring catch. V

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

Commissioner of Patent.

ciiARLEs KE'LsEY. 

